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The All Blacks are preparing for their semi-final battle with Wales and, all of a sudden, Aaron Smith goes down with an injury. TJ Perenara was ruled out before the campaign even began. The camera pans to the No 9 jersey and swings around to show his face, but who is it?

Look, the likelihood of this happening isn't huge. Smith and Perenara have been in good nick for the majority of their careers and, knock on wood, they should be healthy come the flight to Japan.

But with Tawera Kerr-Barlow leaving for the questionably delectable array of escargot of France, there is a third halfback spot up for grabs.

Nock has shown in his relatively short rugby career he has the makings of a future New Zealand representative. His box kick is accurate, passing is crisp and he provides a cool head beyond his 21 years.

He has been highly impressive in the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup for the resurgent Northland and hopefully he'll be able to test that more at Super Rugby level next year.

Tahuriorangi is another young halfback pressing his claims. After spending the last two seasons under TJ Perenara at the Hurricanes, he is moving to the Chiefs to learn under and, potentially, usurp Weber.

He is another graduate of the NZ Under 20's programme which featured players like Akira Ioane, Atu Moli, Blake Gibson and Ricky Riccitelli, who have been brought into All Blacks squads already.

Nock and Tahuriorangi are more options for the future but they are intriguing.

The picture isn't clear. None of them are barging down the All Blacks' door with mouthguard in hand, ready to go. Not yet anyway.

When you go back to the flash-forward that face wearing the No 9 jersey is still blurred.